Beechcraft T-6 Military Trainer Debuts in Africa

WICHITA, Kan. (Sept. 21, 2010) – Hawker Beechcraft Corporation’s (HBC) T-6 military trainer recently debuted in Africa as part of a demonstration tour en route to the African Aerospace & Defense (AAD) Expo in Capetown, South Africa. The trip includes stops in Algeria, Gabon, Angola and Namibia with demonstration flights in Nigeria and South Africa. From HBC’s headquarters in Wichita, Kan., to the arrival at AAD in South Africa, the T-6 turboprop will cover nearly 9,500 miles.

“We believe there are great prospects for our T-6 and AT-6 military aircraft with partner nations in Africa,” said Jim Maslowski, HBC president, U.S. and International Government Business. “This tour, leading up to and continuing after AAD, will provide prospective customers in Africa and in portions of Asia with an opportunity to see the versatility and durability of the T-6 firsthand. This nearly two-month long odyssey with multiple demonstration sites and two ocean crossings wouldn’t be feasible if it weren’t for the T-6’s exceptional dependability.”

Upon completion of the tour in Africa, the T-6C military trainer will continue on to India to take part in field evaluation trials with India Air Force officials as part of its competition for a new basic trainer.

The Beechcraft T-6 offers military organizations worldwide the most proven and most cost-effective training system available today. The T-6 is a primary trainer aircraft that accommodates instruction in instrument flight procedures and basic aerial maneuvers. The aircraft delivers an outstanding training capability that is appropriate for the most basic introductory flight training through more challenging and complex advanced training missions. To date, it has been used to train pilots in approximately 20 different countries.

Deliveries of the T-6 began in 2000 after the aircraft was initially selected to fill the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System role for the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy. Since then, additional military programs worldwide, including NATO Flying Training in Canada, the Hellenic Air Force of Greece, the Israeli Air Force, the Iraqi Air Force and the Royal Moroccan Air Force, have chosen the T-6 and its derivatives as their primary trainers.

The AT-6 draws its heritage from HBC’s T-6 A/B Texan trainer aircraft. Designed to provide close air support and meet the demands of the irregular warfare environment, the AT-6 is outfitted with a more powerful engine, a variety of self-protection mechanisms, multiple secure communications functions and advanced intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is a world-leading manufacturer of business, special mission and trainer aircraft – designing, marketing and supporting aviation products and services for businesses, governments and individuals worldwide. The company’s headquarters and major facilities are located in Wichita, Kan., with operations in Salina, Kan.; Little Rock, Ark.; Chester, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico. The company leads the industry with a global network of more than 100 factory-owned and authorized service centers. For more information, visit www.hawkerbeechcraft.com.